Chapter 14

Candice

I start throwing makeup into my case. I have about two hours before I have to be at the venue for tonight’s concert. All I can think about though is Mick and how stupid I felt this morning. He wants to be friends? Fine. Perfect. It’s not like I want more anyways. I pace around the room, picking things up and putting them back down. My mind isn’t here right now. The feelings I have when I am around Mick are unexpected, and last night with everything he told me and him defending me against Felix—I don’t know—it makes everything more confusing. This is what it needs to be, just pals and my heart needs to be okay with this resolution.

There’s a knock at the door, and Mick leans against the frame. He’s changed into a simple white t-shirt and black skinny jeans with a few tears. His sleeve tattoo is on full display; there’s something extremely sexy about the permanent artwork on his arm.

“Candice I—about earlier. I shouldn’t have gotten mad so quick—”

“No. Please don’t. We’re fine. We have ten months of tour so let’s just focus on getting through it.” I sigh.

He just nods his head.

“Did you pack everything up?” I ask as he sits on the couch.

“Yup. Ready to go,” he says.

“Are you excited for the Grammy’s this year?” I ask and throw some hairbrushes into my traveling case. Mick’s gaze follows me as I bounce around the room.

“We should win a few.” He shrugs.

“‘My Amazing Girl’ is doing wonders for you,” I smile.

“It’s not the best song on the album.” He crosses his arms.

“Liar.” I stop to observe him.

“It isn’t.” He holds his hands up.

“Whatever you say.” I take a seat next to him, but not too close. “What is the best song then?”

“‘Fire.’”

“I’m looking forward to hearing ‘Fire’ then.” But I’ve heard it. I won’t admit it to Mick, but I own every one of their albums.

“I’ll give you a shout out.” He winks.

“Would you? It’d make my life complete.” I roll my eyes.

“I know, babe. I got ya covered.” He scoots closer to me. “What are you doing tonight?”

“The same thing as you. Concert then bed seeing as how we’re leaving at like seven in the morning tomorrow,” I’m acutely aware of how close his fingers are to my leg. It seems like he’s fighting the urge to place his hand on my knee. My skin is craving the contact.

“How about you stay at mine tonight?”

“Did you miss the early conversation where you said we should be friends?” His hands are still not touching me, but the heat is radiating off them.

“I changed my mind.” His voice is low. His fingers reach up and pull at the end of my hair. His body shifts closer again. “Plus, we can be friends who hang out.”

The teasing is killing me. His hands should be wrapped in my hair. He should be kissing me right now. But my rational thought kicks in before our lips can touch.

“Can we though? Honestly, us together is matches and gasoline.”

Mick cocks his head to the side. “You have heard ‘Fire!’”

“I’ve heard it in passing.” My lips quirk, trying to betray my nonchalant façade.

“Liar. There’s no way. Do you actually own one of my albums?” His face is as excited as a kid on Christmas.

“I own The Talons album. Until you release a solo album it will always be the bands album. Something you seem to have forgotten.”

“Fine whatever. But let’s go back to the bigger thing here. You, Candice Bryan, own one of The Talons albums.”

“I own them all.” I palm my forehead.

“Yes! So, you like us?”

“You’re not terrible.”

“I don’t know why but that makes me incredibly happy.”

“You’re an ass.” I push his shoulder.

“You said a bad word,” Lottie’s voice comes from the door. Though we weren’t doing anything, we spring a part like teenagers who were just caught making out by their mum.

“Who said a bad word?” Caroline says as she enters the room. She glares at Mick.

“Not me.” Mick stands from the couch, and I instantly want him to be close to me again.

“I said A-S-S,” I say to Caroline.

“Oooh, naughty.” She smirks. “Mick, we have to get going.”

“Sure boss.” As with everything he says to Caroline, it’s extremely sarcastic.

“See you tonight? After?” Mick asks. An intensity moves between us and Caroline’s gaze bounces back and forth between us.

“Uh—yeah. Sure.”

Mick smiles then leaves. Caroline shoots me a questioning look but doesn’t say anything as she grabs Lottie’s hand.

Damnit Candice. What are you doing?

I scroll through my social media as I sit on the edge of the couch and notice there’s a few new comments, mean ones from Mick’s fans, on pictures I posted a few weeks ago. Great now the fangirls hate me.

There’s a soft knock at the door, which breaks my concentration.

“Hey, Candice,” Brandon says as he walks in.

“Hey what’s up?” I ask and throw my phone onto the couch.

“I know I have no right to say this to you but with Mick, just be careful.” His eyes glimmer with sincerity.

“Nothing is going on,” I say but even I don’t believe it anymore.

“For now, but I know Mick can be a really good actor.”

My stomach clenches but I recover. “Trust me it’s nothing I don’t know. You lads are all babies in my eyes.”

“You’re brilliant and I know you see through him, but I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Thank you, B.” I wrap my arms around his middle, and he returns the gesture.

“I should go continue to pack.” He gives me a nod before he leaves.

Brandon knows something I don’t, and I intend on finding out what it is.